WASHINGTON (AP) -- Something finally went right for the Washington Capitals: They won the NHL's draft lottery.

The Capitals, coming off their worst season in 26 years, leaped ahead of Pittsburgh and Chicago to gain this year's No. 1 overall draft pick at Tuesday's lottery in New York.

"We just feel in some way we were rewarded for the difficult task we undertook this year," Washington general manager George McPhee said. "We hope today is the first day in a new era for the Capitals."

The consensus prospect for the top selection is Russian forward Alexander Ovechkin, who has evoked comparisons to Pittsburgh great Mario Lemieux.

The Capitals, considered strong playoff contenders with a star-packed roster at the start of the season, traded away most of their impact players after a disappointing start and finished with the third worst record in the league. They had a 14.2 percent chance of winning the lottery, behind Pittsburgh (25 percent) and Chicago (18.8 percent).

Wheel of Morality, turn turn turn. Tell us the lesson that we should learn.So next year when the NHL doesn't exist, the non-existant Capitals will have the first imaginary pick of a draft that won't happen.

Originally posted by gugsSo next year when the NHL doesn't exist, the non-existant Capitals will have the first imaginary pick of a draft that won't happen.

Good for them!

Originally posted by fuelinjectedThe draft is in July, Mr. Gugs.

Talking about knowing your info before saying something SILLY... lol...I am kind of disappointed i hoped that the blue jackets will get Ovchkin.........Nash,Zherdev,Svitov and Ovchkin (a possible all Russian line)

A team that may or may not fold (probably not) gets a real draft pick in a draft that's happening on June 26-27 for a league that will probably have an extended work stoppage. When the CBA is hammered out, Ovechkin will be a Washington Capital.

Aside from the "next year" part, everything I said still stands. The dead Caps get a fake draft pick in an imaginary draft for a league that isn't there. Good for them.

lol dude i recommend that your just stop speaking...i`m not one to take shots at anyone but comeon you keep putting your foot in your mouth...How is it an imaginary draft?How are the caps dead? (Its called rebuilding, with younger and talented youth such as Eminger, Morrison,Semin and prolly Ovechkin) Already i like the caps towards the future.2nd of all i didn't know that you are an "insider", stop assuming that there will be no season next year cause you just dont know that for a fact, AND even if there will be no season there will be a draft and no not an "imaginary draft" and no not a "fake draft pick" but a real draft with a real draft pick.

In no way I am trying to attack you man, i just get frustrated when someone says some bull and then when someone corrects him (you), he ignores it and AGAIN says bunch of bull.

Thank you Planavoy... that guy has NO idea what he's talking about. Now all I can hope for is the Caps' GM not being an idiot and trading away the pick for "a promising prospect." Oy. Seriously, if the Caps don't pick Ovechkin (or at LEAST Malkin) I'll truly have serious doubts that their management has any clue how to build a hockey team.

The best part is that the Caps still have 2 more 1st round pics and 2 2nd round pics to deal with after they pick up Ovechkin. Weeeee!

Originally posted by AngstBoyThank you Planavoy... that guy has NO idea what he's talking about. Now all I can hope for is the Caps' GM not being an idiot and trading away the pick for "a promising prospect." Oy. Seriously, if the Caps don't pick Ovechkin (or at LEAST Malkin) I'll truly have serious doubts that their management has any clue how to build a hockey team.

The best part is that the Caps still have 2 more 1st round pics and 2 2nd round pics to deal with after they pick up Ovechkin. Weeeee!